Richard Lance Frisch

Richard Lance Frisch died on October 10th at his Boise home with his children and wife by his side. Rick courageously fought stage IV Glioblastoma brain cancer for the last 19 months, enduring two surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation.

Rick had a strong sense of justice and a constant drive to improve the world around him. Whether it was a system, a situation, or a person, he believed improvement was always possible —and he wasn't one to hold back on sharing how it could be done. If you didn't take the time to know Rick, you might not understand that this courage stemmed from his unmatched commitment to family and friends. Rick was always his tribe’s best protector - he always knew what to do or say, and we always knew he had our best interests in mind.

Rick was born on March 3, 1953, in Atkinson, Nebraska to Don and Shirley Frisch. As a baby, he was allergic to what felt like nearly everything, forcing his young parents to get creative- from finding the right doctors to learning how to milk a goat.

When the young family, which would eventually grow to five siblings for Rick, moved to Boise in 1958, Rick found and developed his many, many talents. He naturally understood the importance of building and maintaining relationships even from a young age. He attended St. Mary’s grade school, North Junior High, and in 1971 graduated from Boise High School, America’s Finest High School. At Boise High, Rick was naturally a talented and successful member of the debate team, partnering with lifelong friend Nels Mitchell. They won many competitions and crafted the skill of respectful disagreement rarely seen today. This disposition led him to work with Sen. Frank Church on his campaign and later in D.C., highlighting his early determination for a better world.

Like many families in the North End, his never had much to spare — but growing up Rick always found a way to buy nice things. Whether this was achieved by delivering the evening edition of the Idaho Statesman, selling candy for Bob Irwin, or busing tables at the Red Lion, he did so passionately. He was creative, clever, smart, and fun — and his relentless pursuit of what he considered fair was admirable... and, at times, exasperating. Too, was his near-supernatural ability to find a coupon, a discount, or a better deal — often to the dismay of retail clerks, family members, and anyone lucky enough to be stuck in line behind him.

After high school, Rick joined Up With People, an international educational program that traveled around the world inspiring college students with the leadership qualities of global perspective, integrity, and a motivation to serve. Rick advanced in the organization to leadership positions doing incredible work as a fundraising executive and relationship creator for the nonprofit. It was a great fit as Rick knew the value of life is in relationships and Up With People provided years of fulfilling work for him.

Rick took his fundraising skills to higher education, working at the University of Southern California, University of Arizona, Chaminade University, University of Hawaii, Washington State University, and twice, at Boise State University. He also worked for the Catholic Community Foundation of Eastern South Dakota for more than 30 years, helping friend Mark Conzemius complete many successful campaigns.

While Vice President of Development in his first term at BSU, Rick was stricken with transverse myelitis, a rare auto-immune disorder causing chronic pain and paralysis in parts of his body. Although a daily struggle, he never once complained or let it stop him from enjoying life.

Rick’s most prized relationship he developed was with his wife of 30 years. Tamra was the perfect partner for Rick. Neither was discouraged easily, despite the hardships that they endured. Rick knew how lucky he was to find Tamra and told friends and family that she was one of his gifts from God. The power couple could better than most, organize an event, help one research the best solution to a problem, or just make you feel loved. They created beautiful, welcoming homes living in Arizona, Hawaii, Washington, and Idaho, as they followed Rick’s storied career.

Rick created numerous lifelong relationships all over the world due to the nature of traveling for fundraising. He always brought a sense of class and purpose with his air travel, a trait becoming hard to find. There was joy and gratitude attached to every air mile that was flown. He was beyond proud of his combined 5-million-mile status. Even with so much time gone from home, his love and guidance was never absent. Rick had this admirable gift of turning his kids interests into his own. He was the very definition of a family man. At times, Rick could have convinced you he was the head soccer coach, having all the ideas to take his kids’ club team ‘pro’, all from the sideline. Everything he did was for the betterment of his family, as he understood, you change the world from there first. This was the type of dad that could heal the fabric of a nation, and his presence is profoundly missed.

The family would like to thank Dr. Duckworth and Paige Wilson of Northwest Neurosurgery for giving us more time with him, and Rhea from St. Luke's Hospice for her kindness in Rick’s transition.

Rick is survived by wife Tamra, their children, Elizabeth and Elliot, and son, Gregory Frisch (Patricia), from a previous marriage, and granddaughter, Kylie. He is also survived by sisters Marde Shawver (Bill), and Susan Karpen; brothers, Randy (Suzanne) and Kurt (Karen). He is preceded in death by brother Bob (Darla) and parents, Don and Shirley Frisch.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church October 24 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Glioblastoma Research Organization or the Robert D. Frisch Memorial Fund at the Idaho Catholic Foundation.